Nutritive values of fruits and seeds usually eaten raw in Nigeria

Abstract

The nutritive values of some fruits and seeds usually eaten raw in Nigeria have been studied. These include avocado pear (Persea amaricana), pawpaw (Garcine papaya), Banana (Musa sapietum), Coconut (Cosos nucifera), Bitter Kola (Garcine kola), Black tamarind (Dalilium guineensis), Mango (Mangifera indica) and Garden egg (Solanum melongena). The fruits showed appreciable amounts of moisture; pawpaw (80 .24) ± 4 .20%), garden egg (73 .46 ± 3 .15%), banana (68 .84 ± 3 14%) and avocado pear (66 .36 ± 3.20) in decreasing content. Only avocado and coconut had high fat content with values of 30.27 ± 1.20% and 18.05 ± 2.50% respectively on a dry weight basis. The protein content of all the fruits and seeds were not high; the highest value of 3.00 ± 0.21% was obtained for coconut. Appreciable amounts of calcium and vitamins C (13.80 ± 210% and 7.19 ± 0 .14 %) respectively have been obtained from fruit some of the seeds. The carbohydrate content (expressed as glucose) of the fruits and seeds also gave values ranging from 2.97 ± 0.02% to 4.00 ± 0.10%. The results show that thee fruits and seeds eaten raw are good sources of essential nutrients particularly Vitamin C which is destroyed by high temperature during preparation.


(Journal of Applied Sciences & Environmental Management: 2002 6(2): 77-78)